Marino Engaged In Chase For Ring

July 31, 1999|By CRAIG BARNES Staff Writer

DAVIE — Something is out of balance in Dan Marino's career. His records are too many to count, but he has no Super Bowl rings. It's an all-for-one trade in his mind. As he began his 17th training camp Friday, the Dolphins' quarterback was looking to Super Bowl XXXIV in Atlanta on Jan. 30.

Unlike his two offseason visits to Europe, his golf outing to Ireland or his family vacation in West Virginia, he wants the Atlanta visit to be strictly business, and he quietly challenged his teammates to make the one change necessary to get there.

"From the looks of things in minicamps, we do have a lot of talent,'' Marino said. "We just have to find a way to be more consistent. We've talked all offseason about winning more games on the road. To win the division and get in the playoffs, we have to win more games on the road.''

The Dolphins were 7-1 at home last season, but only 3-5 on the road. They surrendered games in the fourth quarter at Jacksonville, Buffalo and New England. They were also beaten by the New York Jets and Atlanta before being blown out at Denver 35-3 in the division playoff.

Marino, who will be 38 in September, had his contract restructured through 2001, but it left him a clause to become a free agent after this season. He reiterated that he wouldn't be leaving the Dolphins.

"I know what the expectations of the fans and the media are,'' Marino said, "but I'm more excited about what this team's expectations are. The guys in this room believe that we're going to be good. That's what matters to me. Everybody understands, is professional and understands what they have to do to win.''

Wide receiver Tony Martin, who hasn't played with Marino since 1994, sees no difference in the way he delivers the ball and runs the offense.

"He has kept himself in tremendous shape,'' Martin said. "He throws with great velocity, and you had better get you head around if you don't want it knocked off. He'll get in the huddle and say `I want to see your head like Linda Blair in The Exorcist.'''

Marino, who expects from an improved running game and a deep, more talented group of receivers, is prepared to make sacrifices. That includes practicing with the heat index higher than 100 and sitting through night meetings at training camp where he hears the same things he has heard for 17 summers.

"The championship is what you're doing this for,'' Marino said. "That's why you're playing, so you can work and have a chance for a championship. My position is no different than anyone else in this locker room.''

Marino, with surgically repaired knees and an Achilles' tendon that causes him to limp at times, has started 43 consecutive games. His obsession with a championship and his competitive fire will have it no other way.

"I take pride in being reliable and the guy that you can depend on to go out there and give the best effort that I can possibly give,'' Marino said. "I felt pretty good the last couple of years as far as my legs go, and my arm has felt great. The big concern is to keep my legs in shape so I can perform at the highest level.''

It's the reason that Johnson will allow selected veterans, Marino among them, and injured players to practice only once a day during two-a-day workouts.

As long as the ratio of records to rings is where it is today, Marino gives every indication of continuing to play as long as his body will allow him.

"Everybody wants to play forever, but that's impossible,'' Marino said. "At this point, after 17 years, you have to take them one at a time. You never know what your health situation is going to be or what the circumstances around the team will be.

"I'd love to play as long as I possibly can, but who knows? It's been no different the last two or three years ago. Once you've played so long, you never know what the next week is going to bring.''